Module 01: Introduction

ANSYS Mechanical Introduction with Nonlinearities

Release 18.0

1 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017

 Welcome!
Welcome to the Introduction to ANSYS Mechanical training course.
This course covers the basics of using ANSYS Mechanical to perform finite element analysis.
It is intended for all new or occasional ANSYS Mechanical users.
Objectives:
• Understanding of the user interface
• Proficiency in the standard finite element analysis
procedure
• Experience with the most common analysis types
− Static structural
− Modal
− Parametric studies

Training Courses are available for a variety of advanced ANSYS Mechanical topics. Visit us at
http://www.ansys.com/Services/Training-Center for more information.

2 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017

 Module 01 Topics
This module covers introductory topics that are common to all mechanical analysis disciplines:
1. About ANSYS, Inc. 11. Graphics Window
2. ANSYS Learning Hub 12. Scoping Loads and Supports
3. ANSYS Workbench Overview 13. Demonstration: ANSYS Mechanical
4. Demonstration: ANSYS Workbench User Interface
Overview 14. Engineering Data
5. Summary 15. Assigning Material Properties
6. ANSYS Mechanical Overview 16. Demonstration: Engineering Data
7. Basic Analysis Procedure 17. Workshop 01.1: Mechanical Basics
8. ANSYS Mechanical Interface 18. Appendix 01.1: ANSYS Workbench
9. Toolbars Quickstart
10. Outline Tree and Details 19. Appendix 01.2: ANSYS Mechanical
Quickstart

3 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017

 01.01 About ANSYS, Inc. ANSYS is the Simulation Leader

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 01.01 About ANSYS, Inc.
Breadth of Technologies
Fluid Mechanics: To Multiphase
From Single-Phase Flows Combustion

Structural Mechanics: To High-Speed Impact

From Linear Statics

Electromagnetics: From To High-Frequency

Low-Frequency Windings Field Analysis

Systems: To Multi-Domain
From Data Sharing System Analysis

5 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017

 01.02 ANSYS Learning Hub

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 01.02 ANSYS Learning Hub

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7 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017

 01.03 ANSYS Workbench Overview

ANSYS Workbench is:

• An engineering analysis project management tool.
• The top-level interface linking all of our modeling
and analysis products.
• A resource for creating and viewing the functional
organization of an analysis project.
• A file manager.
• A tool for parametric and design optimization
studies.

8 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017

 01.03 ANSYS Workbench Overview

If you’re new to ANSYS Workbench, see

Appendix 01.1: ANSYS Workbench Quickstart
for additional background information

9 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017

 01.04 Demonstration: ANSYS Workbench Overview

This demonstration provides an

overview of basic Workbench project-
level functionality.

[video file: 01-Workbench-Overview.mp4]

10 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017

 01.05 Summary
ANSYS Workbench provides a convenient way of managing
your engineering simulation projects.

Parametric Studies

Data transfer

Project Organization Multiphysics Analysis

11 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017

 01.06 ANSYS Mechanical Overview
The following analysis types are available* in ANSYS Mechanical:
• Structural Static (Linear and Nonlinear)
• Structural Dynamic
− Modal
− Harmonic
− Response Spectrum
− Random Vibration
− Transient (Linear and Nonlinear)
− Rigid dynamics
• Thermal (Steady-State and Transient)
• Magnetostatic
• Electrical
• Multiphysics
*Actual availability depends upon licensing. All analysis types above are supported with ANSYS Mechanical
Enterprise licensing. Not all analysis types listed above are covered in this course.
12 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017
 01.06 ANSYS Mechanical Overview

If you’re new to ANSYS Mechanical, see

Appendix 01.2: ANSYS Mechanical Quickstart
for additional background information

13 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017

 01.07 Basic Analysis Procedure
A finite element analysis is used to determine the response of a system based on some type of
loading and a specified set of supports.
It is important to remember that a finite element solution is an approximation:
• CAD geometry is an idealization of the actual physical system.
• The mesh is an assemblage of discrete “elements” that represent the geometry.
• The accuracy and usefulness of answers is determined by various factors, one of which is the mesh density.

CAD Model Finite Element Mesh

14 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017

 01.07 Basic Analysis Procedure

An analysis can be described in the context of four

main steps:
• Preliminary Decisions
• Preprocessing
• Solution
• Postprocessing

Note that the steps of the basic procedure are

generally reflected in the Outline view (also known as
the “Tree” or the “Outline Tree”).
15 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017
 01.08 The ANSYS Mechanical Interface
The components of the user interface are shown below:

Menus
Toolbars

Graphics Window
Mechanical
Application Wizard
Outline Tree

Details View Status Bar

16 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017

 01.08 The ANSYS Mechanical Interface
• A range of menus and toolbars provide much of the general functionality in
Mechanical.
− The title bar lists analysis type, product, and active ANSYS license.

• Some menu and toolbar items are self explanatory. We’ll cover the basic
controls on the next few slides.
− Additional controls and features will be introduced throughout the course as they are
encountered.
• The various views in Workbench and Mechanical can be customized. If you
need to return to the default layout use either or both:
− Mechanical: “View > Windows > Layout > Reset Window Layout”.
− Workbench: “View > Reset Window Layout”.

17 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017

 01.09 Toolbars
The Context toolbar changes depending on the current Outline selection:

In most cases, an alternate path to these features is available via the right
mouse button (RMB) when the associated branch is highlighted.

18 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017

 01.09 Toolbars
Geometry Filters Mesh Filters
The Graphics toolbar selection section:
Select Geometry (vertex, face, etc.):
• Use Single Select or Box Select modes.

Select Mesh (nodes and elements):

• Use Single Select, Box Select, Box Volume Select, Lasso Select,
or Lasso Volume Select modes.
• Use Show Mesh toolbar button to toggle display.

Volume
Box Lasso
19 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017
 01.09 Toolbars

Selection planes allow for users to easily select entities that

are overlaying one another.
• An initial selection point acts as the starting point for a path through the
model.
• Each entity encountered is displayed by a selection plane.
• The path through the model is in the normal Z (viewing) direction.

• Example using surfaces: initial selection location.

20 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017

 01.10 Outline Tree and Details

The Outline Tree branches represent

various modeling and analysis operations.
Each branch has an associated status
icon—becoming familiar with these will
allow you to debug Mechanical problems
more quickly. See Appendix 01.2 for
details.

21 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017

 01.10 Outline Tree and Details
The Details View contains input and output fields (the contents will change depending on the branch
selected):
• White field: input data that can be edited.
• Yellow field: incomplete input data.
• Gray field: information only, cannot be modified.
• Red field: Result no longer up to date (must re-solve).

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 01.10 Outline Tree and Details

Again, becoming familiar with the status icons will allow you to debug Mechanical
problems quickly. To help you in this task, you can use the “Show Errors” button.
23 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017
 01.11 Graphics Window
The Graphics Window shows the geometry and results. Tabs allow access to Print Preview and
Report Preview as well.

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 01.11 Graphics Window
A Worksheet view is available for many objects in the tree (i.e. geometry, connections, etc.).
• Provides a list view of the data in the tree.

Activate Worksheet

Toggle between graphics

and worksheet

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 01.11 Graphics Window

Keyboard Shortcuts are supported in Mechanical for

common actions such as: Select All Objects (Ctrl+ A),
Body Filter Selection (Ctrl+B), Zoom to Fit (F7).

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 01.12 Scoping Loads and Supports
Loads and supports can be applied as:
1. Scope, then action (pre-select):
– Select geometry entity in Graphics Window, then select load or support
(context toolbar or RMB > insert).
– Define magnitude and direction (if required).
OR

2. Action, then scope:

– Select load or support from the context menu or RMB > Insert.
– Select the scope, then “Apply” in the details.
– Define magnitude and direction (if required).
Notes:
• Preselecting (1) is more efficient since it avoids having to use the Apply/Cancel function
(pre-selection is automatically “applied”).
• If you wish to change a boundary condition’s location simply click in the geometry field to
bring up the Apply/Cancel selections and make a new selection.

27 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017

 01.12 Scoping Loads and Supports
Some loads require a direction. There are
2 methods of direction control:
• Component Method:
− In the details view set “Define By” to
“Components.”
− Select the desired coordinate system
(local or global).
− Enter X, Y, and Z magnitudes.

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 01.12 Scoping Loads and Supports
• Vector Method:
− In the details view set “Define By” to “Vector.”
− Enter the load magnitude.
− Click the “Direction” field and choose the control geometry (vertex
pairs, edges or surfaces).
− “Apply” to confirm.
• To modify directions using the vector method:
− Click in the “Direction” field and select new control geometry.
− Use the arrows in the Graphics window to reverse directions.
− “Apply” when finished.
The default “Define By” method can be set in the Tools > Options >
Mechanical > Miscellaneous dialog.
Toggle arrow buttons to
Note: Structural simulations allow certain boundary conditions to be reverse load direction
applied directly to the finite element model (nodes and elements). For
additional guidance, see the ANSYS Mechanical documentation.
29 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017
 01.13 Demonstration: ANSYS Mechanical User Interface

This demonstration provides an

overview of the ANSYS Mechanical
user interface.

[video file: 02-Mechanical-User-Interface.mp4]

30 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017
 01.14 Engineering Data
The Engineering Data application provides control for material properties.
• Engineering Data can be opened “stand alone” or from the analysis system cell (double click or RMB>Edit).

• Note : A Physics Filter toggles between displaying all materials and properties or only materials relevant to the
analysis systems in the project

• A key concept in Engineering Data is that materials must be checked out of a material library and into a project
before they can be used in your analysis

Data Source (Material Library) Workbench Project

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 01.14 Engineering Data
Project View

NOTE:
Only the materials shown in this view
will be available in the current
Mechanical analysis.

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 01.14 Engineering Data
• Users can define their own materials or use one from the Engineering Data Source.
• To use the Engineering Data Source, click on
− Highlight the desired library
− Click the “+” next to the desired material
− Return to the Engineering Data Manager by toggling

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 01.14 Engineering Data

To create a new material:

• Make sure Engineering Data Sources is
toggled “off.”
= OFF
• Enter a name for the new material.
• From the Toolbox, double-click or drag
and drop the desired properties.
• Enter appropriate values for the
properties.

Note: properties can be added to existing

materials using the same technique.

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 01.14 Engineering Data
To place a new material in a library you must export it as an
xml file first.
• Highlight the material name
• From the “File” menu choose “Export Engineering Data”.
• Browse to the desired location to store the file.

Continued . . .
35 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017
 01.14 Engineering Data
• Toggle to the “Data Sources” display.
= ON
• Highlight the material library where the new
material is to be stored.
− The material library must be unlocked (edit mode) before
new materials can be added.

• From the “File” menu choose to “Import Engineering

Data”.
• Browse to the xml file for the new material.

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 01.14 Engineering Data
• To create a material library toggle to the Data Sources display.
= ON
• Enter a name and select a location (a browser will open automatically).

Engineering Data files (libraries and materials) are stored in .xml format.

37 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017

 01.15 Assigning Material Properties
• Material properties are assigned to parts in the “Material Assignment” field in the
part’s details (Mechanical application).
• Notice there are several shortcuts allowing quick access to the Engineering Data
application in Workbench.

Jump to Engineering Data to

define new material or import
from library.
Jump to Engineering Data to edit
the current material selection.
Materials already selected in
Engineering Data

38 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017

 01.16 Demonstration: Engineering Data

This demonstration provides an

overview of the ANSYS Mechanical
Engineering Data application.

[video file: 03-Engineering-Data.mp4]

39 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017
 01.17 Workshop 01.1: Mechanical Basics
Goal:
Using the Stress Wizard, set up and solve a structural model for stress,
deflection, and factor of safety.

40 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017

 01.18 Appendix 01.1

ANSYS Workbench Quickstart

41 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017

 01.18 Appendix 01.1: Workbench Overview
The options visible in the “Analysis Systems” are ready-made
left-hand column show all stencils that include all the
the products (systems) you individual systems (applications)
have licenses for. needed for common analyses (for
TIP: If this list appears example Geometry + Mesh + Solver
empty, you have a problem + Post-Processor)
with your licensing.

“Component Systems” are the

individual building-blocks for each
stage of the analysis
“Design Exploration”
provides tools for
optimising designs and
understanding the
parametric response.
42 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017
 01.18 Appendix 01.1: Basic Workflow

Dragging an Analysis System onto

the project desktop lays out a
workflow, comprising all the steps
needed for a typical analysis.

Workflow is from top to bottom.

As each stage is complete, the icon
at the right-hand side changes

43 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017

 01.18 Appendix 01.1: Alternative Workflow

However, an analysis could equally well be prepared by selecting the

individual Component Systems that are needed for this analysis, and
then linking them together with connectors.

TIP: There are two ways to create the connectors between the systems:
1) Use the mouse to draw a line (e.g. A2 to B3, B4 to C4 etc)
2) Or, simply drop the new system on the cell of the upstream one,
and the link will be generated automatically.

44 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017

 01.18 Appendix 01.1: Cell States
As each stage in the model-build is completed, the state
of the cell changes.
Icon Meaning
Up to Date
Refresh required. Upstream data has changed
Status after creating Geometry in A3,
not yet opened Mechanical in A4 Update required. Local data has changed
Unfulfilled. Upstream data does not exist
Attention Required
Solving
Update Failed
Update Interrupted
Changes pending (was up-to-date, but upstream data has
Status after model has solved waiting changed)
for post-processing

45 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017

 01.18 Appendix 01.1: Sharing Data between Different Solvers
Workbench can be used to transfer data between solvers. In this 1-way FSI (fluid-structure-
interaction) example, we transfer the loads from a Fluent CFD simulation over to a
Mechanical system to perform a stress analysis.

The square connector shows that the The round connector shows that the
geometry created in cell A2 (CFD CFD results are being transferred as
model) is being shared with cell B3 a Setup (input) condition to be used
(FEA model). for FEA stress analysis.

46 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017

 01.18 Appendix 01.1: File Location on Disk
Should you need to identify the individual files on your disk for each stage of the project,
these can be found by enabling View > Files. The resulting table will cross-reference the
directory and filename with the project cells.

Project File Project Directory

47 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017

 01.18 Appendix 01.1: Archive/Restore
The workbench project comprises many files and directories. If you need either to
archive the project or to bundle it to send to someone else, use the ‘Archive’ function …
this generates a single compressed file (*.wbpz) that includes the entire project.

When archiving, you can choose

whether to include the computed result
files or not—omitting these may
substantially reduce the size of the
archive file.

When you restore an archive, you can choose where to

save (and solve) the restored project. If you double-click
on a *.wbpz file, the project will be restored to the
location given by Tools > Options > Project
Management > Default Folder for Temporary Files.

48 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017

 01.18 Appendix 01.1: Working With Parameters
Most Workbench applications will let you
specify key quantities as a parameter
(rather than a constant). Editing the
Parameter Set cell opens the Parameter
Manager application, and lets us define
and manage these parameters.
In this example:
• When creating the geometry in
DesignModeler or SpaceClaim, hole
diameter is set to be an input parameter.
• When reviewing the results, the
maximum equivalent stress is set as an
output parameter
We could just have easily set up a CFD
analysis, looking at different loading
conditions and reporting the pressure
drops.

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 01.18 Appendix 01.1: Working With Parameters 4] The ‘Retain’ option saves
the full set of computed
2] Click here to results data for the DP with
compute all the designs the project

1] Create new row in table

for each design (in this case,
different hole diameters) 3] The desired result (as
computed in Mechanical)
• Three different geometric designs are being tested. is reported here
• The whole process is automated. Workbench will recursively:
1) Update the geometry based on the input parameters in the table
2) Transfer the updated geometry into Mechanical, mesh, solve, and postprocess
• The user just needs to sit back and wait, and the matrix of experiments (each requiring several
different applications to be launched in turn) is computed automatically.

50 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017

 01.18 Appendix 01.1: Starting Mechanical
There are two methods of launching Workbench:
1) From the Windows start menu:

2) From the CAD system:

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 01.18 Appendix 01.1: Working With Units
The Units menu in Workbench:
• Select from predefined unit systems.
• Create custom unit systems.
• Controls unit display for Engineering Data, Parameters and Charts.
• Activate the Units System dialog to unit display preferences.

Unit values can be displayed in the

active project unit system or as they
were originally defined.

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 01.18 Appendix 01.1: Working With Units
Create custom unit systems by duplicating existing systems then modifying.
Custom unit systems can be exported and imported.

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 01.18 Appendix 01.1: License Preferences
Workbench license control is handled through the user interface shown below, activated from the
Workbench project page: “Tools > License Preferences …“

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 01.18 Appendix 01.1: License Preferences
The order of license preference is specified using the up/down arrows (first available is used).
The “Use License” column indicates desired licenses to use (0 = off, 1 = on).

Workbench users can specify whether a

single license is shared when multiple
applications are open, or if each application
accesses their own license.

55 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017

 01.19 Appendix 01.2

ANSYS Mechanical Quickstart

56 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017

 01.19 Appendix 01.2: Menus
The View menu:
• Control basic graphics (shaded, wireframe, etc.).

• Control graphical expansion of shells and beams.

• Control display utilities (legend, triad, ruler, etc.).

• Set preferences for annotation display.

• Select the desired toolbars and windows to be displayed.

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 01.19 Appendix 01.2: Menus
The Units menu:
Specify the unit system for Mechanical.
• Note, Mechanical may use any unit system regardless of
the one specified in Workbench. Where needed,
automatic conversions will be made.
• Mechanical will “remember” the units used in the
previous session (regardless of the units set in
Workbench).
• Specify additional units for angular, rotational and thermal
references.

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 01.19 Appendix 01.2: Menus

Annotation Preferences:
• Controls the display of
annotations for loads/constraints,
user labels, remote conditions
and meshing displays.
• Make preference selections then
“Apply” or “OK” to reflect the
changes.

59 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017

 01.19 Appendix 01.2: Standard Toolbar
The “Standard Toolbar” functionality is shown below:

A B C D E F G H

A. Activate the Mechanical Wizard

B. Object Generator
C. Solve
D. Populate the message windows with the appropriate error message for any tree objects that are not properly
defined
E. Create slice planes, annotations, charts and tables
F. Add comments and figures to the tree
G. Activate optional Worksheet view
H. Activate selection information window

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 01.19 Appendix 01.2: Graphics Control and Selection
Graphics Shortcuts:
• Middle Mouse button:
− unmodified = Rotate
− + CTRL = Pan
− + Shift = Zoom LMB RMB
− If wheel present, rotating wheel also = Zoom
• Right Mouse Button:
− + Drag = box zoom
• RMB Context Menu from graphics window:
− Access isometric view controls and fit.
− Standard views built in.
• Click the axes of the triad to reorient view.
• Click the blue “iso” ball for isometric view.

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 01.19 Appendix 01.2: Graphics Control and Selection
The Graphics toolbar:
A. Common features (rotate, pan, zoom, box zoom) are to the left of the toolbar.
B. A “fit” button and magnifier window toggle are available.
C. When zooming, a “stack” is stored and can be retraced using previous or next buttons.
D. Isometric view.
E. “Look At” selected entities, reorients view normal to current selection.
F. Opens Manage Views window to allow definition and management of custom views.
G. Resize annotations on loads and supports after zooming.

A B C D E F G

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 01.19 Appendix 01.2: Graphics Control and Selection
Graphics Options toolbar:
A. Show Vertices: Accentuates vertex display for easier visualization
B. Close Vertices: Highlights groups of vertices that are very close to each other
C. Wireframe: Toggles view (solid/wireframe)
D. Show Mesh: Show mesh instead of geometry
E. Shows all coordinate systems
F. Random Colors: Use random coloring for load and named selection annotations
G. Preferences: Allows user control of several annotation and display settings

A B C D E F G

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 01.19 Appendix 01.2: Graphics Control and Selection
Graphics Options toolbar:
A. Edge Coloring: Edge color control and display options based on
edge connectivity (i.e., the number of faces connected to an edge).
B. Display edge direction.
C. Display edges that have been scoped to Mesh Connections.
D. Thicken the display of lines that have annotations scoped to them.

A B C D

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 01.19 Appendix 01.2: Outline Tree Status Icons
Becoming familiar with the status icons will allow you to debug
Mechanical problems quickly.

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 01.19 Appendix 01.2: Tagging and Tree Filtering
The Tree Filter:
• To streamline the management of tree objects, especially
for large models, a tree filter can be used to find objects or
to reduce the length of the tree that is displayed.
• Filter by: Name, Tag (discussed later), Type or State.
• Examples:

Filter by state = underdefined to find Filter by type = results to only

only those objects in the tree. display result items.

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 01.19 Appendix 01.2: Tagging and Tree Filtering

The Tree Filter Example:

• Filter Name = “shaft” (user entry)
• Notice here there are a number of branches
containing the word “shaft”. By using the
tree filter each can be quickly found.

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 01.19 Appendix 01.2: Tagging and Tree Filtering
Tags are designations that can be assigned to any branch in the tree and
used with the previously discussed filtering capability.
• Activate the tags window from the “View” menu or the Tags icon.

With the tags view active, a new

“tags” window is displayed
below the details window

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 01.19 Appendix 01.2: Tagging and Tree Filtering
Creating Tags:
• From the Tags window choose to “Add a Tag”.
• Enter a name for the new Tag in the dialog box.

• With tags created, add items by highlighting in the

tree and checking the box by the tag.
Highlight Items
and Check Tag
Note : the item selection for tags can only be performed
from the tree and not from the graphic interface.

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 01.19 Appendix 01.2: Tagging and Tree Filtering
Tags Summary:
• Any object branch in the tree can be tagged.
• Objects can be associated with more than one tag.
• Manage tags from the tags window.
• Highlight Tags and RMB to find items.

Find objects in a single tag

Find objects in multiple tags

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 01.19 Appendix 01.2: Grouping Tree Objects
For the following object types, Mechanical enables you to
organize and group together like-objects :
• Geometry
• Coordinate System
• Connection features: Springs, Beam Connections,
End Release, and Bearings
• Named Selections (Named Selections within
the Fracture folder cannot be grouped.)
• Boundary conditions
• Results (child objects of the Solution folder)
For boundary conditions and results, the Group Similar
Objects groups together objects of the same type
(e.g., Pressure, Displacement, etc.) and renames
the group folder according to that type.
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 01.19 Appendix 01.2: The Mechanical Application Wizard
The Mechanical Wizard is a useful aid in guiding users in
locating the features required to complete an analysis:
− Provides a list of required tasks based on the wizard type (e.g.
structural, thermal, etc.).
− Icons indicate the status of each task (similar to tree status
icons).
By selecting an item on the “Required Steps” checklist, a
callout appears, illustrating where that task is performed.

72 © 2017 ANSYS, Inc. September 1, 2017